Mayor's Message - November 2, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving a little early! We have so much to be thankful for living where we do. I hope you get to spend time with friends and family over the upcoming holidays. We are headed to Lake Keowee with our whole clan. I’m looking forward to the lake and foothill views and hiking – and of course eating like it’s my last feeding.

Each year, election season always produces heightened emotions, spirited discussions and possibly frayed relationships. I hope now that it is about over, we can return to more normal conversations, repair relationships and focus on the challenges that lie ahead and support those elected to serve you – your neighbors.

Someone recently suggested City Council needed to be focused on bigger issues like overcrowding and the growth around us. I couldn’t agree more, which is why we recently kicked off our Tourism Management Plan, which we are calling our Community Enrichment Plan, I have discussed in recent messages. This will provide residents, business owners and visitors the opportunity to give input to the City about what is important to you and what we should be doing about managing our thriving tourism economy. I’m hoping you received an email from the City with a link to the survey. If not, go to iop.net, and complete the survey from that link. The survey will be available until mid-November. Also, it’s why we recently held a tourist season debrief meeting with Sullivans, Folly, Mount Pleasant, SCDOT, Charleston County Parks and Channel 4 to review what has been working the past two seasons and what we can improve upon during our busy tourist season.

Even though all the recent headlines have been about the election, referendum and related topics, please know our city staff is laser focused on delivering all the projects City Council has determined are priorities for our community. City Council receives monthly updates on all the projects going on or upcoming. These are also detailed on the City’s website, iop.net, with routine updates. If you don’t see something you think we should be working on, please don’t hesitate to email Council or visit me during office hours or attend a monthly coffee. There are many opportunities to be engaged and I hope you will take the opportunity to make your voice a part of the discussion.
We had many great community events in October so our staff will take a much-needed break for November to enjoy time with friends and family. However, for December a couple of events to be aware of:

•December 2 - Holiday Street Festival 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Front Beach. Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.

•December 19 - Santa’s Cookie Workshop 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Rec Center

Thank you for the opportunity to serve! See you around the island.

Phillip Pounds, Mayor IOP
843-252-5359
ppounds@iop.net